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"It's a colorful, fun, exciting place with so many local handcrafted items. I shop here myself and enjoy it very much," said Lou Ann McCaughney, a dinner wear vendor.

The exchange is celebrating its 130th birthday. It incorporated in 1882 as an outlet for creative women who weren't allowed to work.

"We started as a women's work place, so women that didn't have jobs would actually come down here because it was illegal for us to work. So, they would bring their quilts in, and we would give them money to support their families," explained exchange spokeswoman Treena Moore.

"I think it's an amazing history if you think, decade by decade, of the different things that have happened for women," said flower vendor Maria Louise High.

The exchange also offers educational classes for small business owners.

"We have classes here every third Saturday with the web group The Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore, and they teach them how to do business proposals, and I teach them how to do UPS codes and how to build a website," Moore said.

The exchange has grown and adapted to society's changes since the 1800s. It's still relevant and helping women and men start successful businesses every day, and the vendors said they are glad it's around.

"I think it's a great opportunity. It's something that helps further women trying to have a business on their own, so I feel very strongly that that's a good thing," said Christine Schmidt, a photography vendor.

The exchange said it will continue to welcome new artists and grow with a changing Baltimore.

"I think there's always going to be a place for this in Baltimore to help people to get started with their careers," High said.